Anutin urges government departments to accept flood criticism and work together

BANGKOK — 30 September 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has urged government departments and agencies to accept public criticism over the flooding situation with an open mind, work together and avoid obstructing one another as authorities step up efforts to help affected residents.

Anutin made the remarks at 08:00 on 30 September while chairing a meeting of the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

The meeting brought together relevant departments and agencies, including military commanders, the national police chief, provincial governors from across Thailand and the Bangkok governor, to assess the flood situation and coordinate relief efforts.

Anutin said the meeting was intended to assess the government’s readiness, identify problems caused by flooding in Bangkok and nearby provinces, and prepare for possible flooding in other parts of the country.

He said the focus was not limited to Bangkok but was aimed at coordinating departments and agencies nationwide so they could work in the same direction.

A key goal, he said, was to “plug gaps” in the response, particularly in communication and the protection of people’s lives and property.

Anutin thanked government departments, agencies and volunteers for helping affected residents, saying resources had been mobilized over the past three to four days to assist people in affected areas.

He also acknowledged criticism from the public over the government’s flood response.

“Criticism, complaints and even harsh words from the public are things everyone must accept,” Anutin said. “In a situation like this, those voices reflect what people need. We must take them and find ways to solve problems and respond to those needs as much as possible.”

He urged officials to remain patient and not take criticism personally.

“I want everyone to be open-minded and patient. Don’t take those words personally. Use them to find solutions for the people. Everyone has to work together, not obstruct one another, and use their authority to the fullest to deal with these situations,” he said.

Anutin said the meeting would be held every morning from now on so departments and agencies could continuously share information and monitor developments together.

Agency heads with other important duties would not have to cancel their existing work and could send representatives to the meetings instead, he said.

The prime minister said the new coordination system was the first of its kind since 2011, drawing on the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, when daily morning meetings helped authorities receive information from departments and agencies nationwide and develop a broader understanding of the situation.

“We meet every morning so that information sharing is systematic and continuous,” Anutin said.

He cited water-management operations as an example, saying Bangkok could be pumping water while the Royal Irrigation Department was simultaneously releasing water. Without coordination, he said, resources could be used without achieving the greatest possible benefit.

Anutin also stressed that the national government would support Bangkok rather than treating flooding in the capital as solely the responsibility of the Bangkok governor.

The government could not reject responsibility or simply designate Bangkok as a special area under the sole responsibility of the Bangkok governor, he said.

Once the Bangkok governor declares an area a disaster zone, Anutin said, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command is ready to provide full support to speed up the response and make it as effective as possible.